Coconut Oil

So, you left your last dentist appointment promising (once again) that you’d floss everyday and never forget to brush before bedtime. If you feel you’ve kept good on your promise, but still want a little insurance, help may soon be on its way—in the form of coconut oil. That’s right, according to a September 2012 study from the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland, enzyme-treated coconut oil may help protect against tooth decay. After testing the treated oil against strains of Streptococcus bacteria (the kind of bacteria that causes tooth decay), they found that it actually stopped the growth.

Cough Syrup Alternative

It’s the middle of winter and you’ve found yourself strung out on NyQuil and Halls, and what you need now is something...just a little less mediciney. According to naturalnews.com, if you let honey and red onion soak together overnight for 12-15 hours, you’ll get a concoction full of nutrients and vitamins and minerals that will help ward off infection and sooth a sore throat. And also one that, apparently, tastes pretty good.

Ginger

So, you’ve always been a firm believer in ginger—you put it in your tea at night tea and add it to your juice every morning. Now, you may have one more reason to keep it in your daily diet. According to a new study published in the the Cancer Prevention Research journal, ginger may also help fight cancer. An October 2011 _Shape_ magazine article highlighted the research, “the study suggests that ginger supplements may help fight inflammation in the colon, which could help to prevent tumors and cancer in the colon.”

Turmeric

It’s rainy season, and if you’re like me your knees have been aching something fierce. Instead of reaching again for the ibuprofen, maybe just grab the turmeric. This spice, popular in South Asian cuisine, actually has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties. According to a 2011 article in the _New York_ Times", “A study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2009 compared the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, with ibuprofen for pain relief in 107 people with knee osteoarthritis. The curcumin eased pain and improved function about as well as the ibuprofen.”

Cayenne Pepper

Every time you fly, your feet swell up like balloons and you just feel puffy all over. Despite the fact that you’re getting up and moving during your flight, you’re still having circulation problems. The solution may be as simple as incorporating some cayenne pepper into your next meal. According to tlc.howstuffworks.com, “Cayenne has become a popular home treatment for mild high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels. Cayenne preparations prevent platelets from clumping together and accumulating in the blood, allowing the blood to flow more easily. Since it is thought to help improve circulation, it's often used by those who have cold hands and feet.”

Basil

It’s 5pm and you have a throbbing headache. You drank coffee today, so you know it’s not from lack of caffeine and you slept with your night guard, so it can’t be the TMJ flaring up on you. Maybe a spaghetti dinner will help alleviate some pressure. According to whfoods.com, “The eugenol component of basil's volatile oils has been the subject of extensive study, since this substance can block the activity of an enzyme in the body called cyclooxygenase (COX). Many non-steroidal over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), including aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as the commonly used medicine acetaminophen, work by inhibiting this same enzyme.”

You know what they say: Teach a woman how to give her guy a massage and she can show him how to do the same for her. (Okay, no one says that. But it's true!) Learn these basic techniques for a relaxing, stress-relieving massage.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we're sharing the best tips and tricks to ensure that your girls are healthy and happy. Nothing is worse than a complicated outfit or an uncomfortable boobage sitch--which is why we're here to help.

Although the most noticeable side effect--and a big reason why many women stop taking the pill--is an increased chance of becoming pregnant, other changes in your body can occur after you stop taking birth control. Luckily, most of the symptoms are mild and last only a few months as your system adjusts and resumes its own production of hormones. Here's what you can expect after you stop taking the pill.

Let's be real: The main reasons we avoid working out are because we did our hair this morning or aren't a fan of 8 a.m. showers. Lucky for you, we've done the legwork and found simple and quick ways to freshen up, which basically leaves zero excuses to skip a workout!

Tea is chock-full of antioxidants that repair cellular damage, which leads to wrinkles and disease. That's why it seems such a shame to throw out a tea bag after it's served its purpose. As it turns out, the last place we should throw used tea bags is in the trash. There are multiple ways to heal health ailments and spruce up our beauty regimens, homes, and even gardens with the help of a brewed tea bag or two.

If you're sexually active, it's good to have condoms on hand when you need them. Some people may keep condoms in their wallet or even in their shoe. Although you're making the smart choice in wanting to practice safe sex, you also need to be aware of the best and worst places to keep your condoms.

Before making a trip to the doctor's office when you're feeling sick, grab a mirror and sneak a peek of your tongue. Its color, texture and overall appearance may be an indicator of what's going on with your health.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is often caused by small cysts growing on the ovaries. Although harmless, these cysts lead to hormone imbalances, and those living with PCOS may notice several unwanted side effects.

Yoga aficionados know that the difference between a strong, balanced session and one spent slipping out of poses or dealing with sore knees, can lie solely in the quality of their mat. Whatever the concern, from extra-sticky surfaces to eco-friendly materials, here are the best yoga mats to meet your needs.